Electrode gland



NOV. 8, 1938. w, MOORE 2,135,761

ELECTRODE GLAND Original Filed Nov. 1, 1934 Patented Nov. s, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Pittsburgh Research Pa.

Corporation, Pittsburgh,

Original application November 1, 1934, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 27, 1937, Serial N0. 181,342

8Ciaiml.

My invention relates to improvements in electric furnaces, and more particularly to furnaces of the type used in metallurgical operations.

An important object of my invention is to provide a novel electrode gland to encircle the electrode at the point where the electrode enters the furnace.

A further object of the invention is the provision of cooling means for the electrode gland.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial Number 751,041, filed November 1, 1934 for Electric furnaces.

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this description and wherein like characters of reference denote like or corresponding parts throughout,

Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of an electrode having my improved electrode gland applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the electrode gland, and,

Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof, parts being shown in section.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l designates an electrode supported by a clamp I I secured to vertically movable electrode arms l2. Cooling pipes iii are carried by the arms l2 and supply a cooling fluid to the coil ll of clamp II. The structure of the clamp, arm and cooling connections is described in detail and claimed in my co-pending application above referred to.

The electrode is raised and lowered by means of arm l2 and is adapted to extend through an opening in the refractory roof of the furnace. The opening in the furnace roof is necessarily somewhat larger than the electrode to permit free movement thereof. To close this space, an annular electrode cooling gland or ring I5 is arranged about the electrode and rests upon the furnace roof, indicated by line IS in Figure 1.

The gland l5 comprises an annular split ring having the surfaces ll of its split portion serrated and joined by suitable non-magnetic struts or bolts l8. The space between serrated surfaces I1 is filled in practice with a suitable insulating material such as mud asbestos. The gland has a lower annular flange l9 which rests upon the furnace roof and a steel cooling pipe is cast within the walls of the gland. The pipe 20 extends completely around the gland and out through bosses 2| at each side of the split in the gland. The ends of the pipe 20 are connected to a source of cooling medium and a cooling medium such as water is circulated through pipe 10. The gland may be readily cast about pipe 20 which, being steel, strengthens and reinforces the gland which is formed from cast iron or other suitable material.

The surface of the bore of the gland is curved or bulged inwardly as indicated in Figure 3, so as to flare at the top and bottom of the gland, and facilitate insertion and movement of the electrode through the gland. Spaced annular grooves 22 are arranged in the walls of the bore of the gland, as shown in Figure 3. These grooves may be filled with a sealing substance to seal the clearance between the electrode and gland. It is not necessary to fill these grooves, however, as the grooves will collect the dust laden fumes arising from the furnace and will soon be filled with a soft pulverulent sealing material.

Annular grooves 23 are also arranged in the bottom of the gland as indicated in the drawing. Before putting the gland in place on the roof, a pad of mud or other suitable material may be laid on the roof, and the gland placed on top thereof, so that the mud will be forced up into the grooves and fasten the gland in place as well as seal it. Where the pad of mud or other material is not used, the dust laden furnace fumes will soon fill the grooves 23 and produce a similar result.

By splitting the electrode gland and separating the split portions with insulation, the circulation'of current around the clamp due to the magnetic field of the electrode is prevented.

Due to the curvature of the bore of the gland IS, the gland may fit snugly about the electrode l0 without interfering with the free vertical movement of the electrode. The-cast-in steel cooling pipe not only greatly strengthens the gland but simplifies its construction, as it is easier to cast the gland about the pipe 20 than to cast the gland with a cooling bore therein. The split insulated ends of the gland prevent circulation of current around the gland, while the grooves 22 and 23 produce a thorough sealing of the gland to prevent the entry of air into the furnace.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or 'the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent is;

1. In an electric furnace, an electrode adapted to extend into the furnace, a cooling gland encircling said electrode and permitting axial movement of the electrode therethrough, said gland being split and having its split portions connected by a mass of nonmagnetic material, and a steel cooling pipe cast in the walls of said gland to reinforce the gland and circulate a cooling medium therethrough.

2. In an electric furnace, an electrode adapted to extent into the furnace, a cooling gland encircling the electrode, said cooling gland having a substantially convex inner surface and annular sealing grooves in said convex inner surface, and the bottom of said gland being provided with an annular sealing groove.

3. In an electric furnace, an electrode adapted to extend into the furnace, a cooling gland encircling said electrode, said gland having a plurality of annular sealing grooves in its inner surface, and a steel cooling pipe cast in said gland to reinforce the gland and circulate a cooling medium therethrough.

4. In an electric furnace, an electrode adapted to extend into the furnace, a cooling gland encircling said electrode, said gland being split and having its split portions connected by nonmagnetic material, and said gland having a plurality of annular sealing grooves in its inner surface, and a steel cooling pipe cast in said gland to reinforce the gland and circulate a cooling medium therethrough.

5. In an electric furnace, an electrode adapted to extend into the furnace, a cooling gland encircling said electrode, said gland being split and havingits split ends serrated and spaced apart, there being non-magnetic material disposed between the ends of the split gland, the bottom of said gland being provided with an annular sealing groove, and a cooling pipe cast in the walls of said gland to reinforce the gland and air culate-a cooling medium therethrough.

6. In an electrode furnace, an electrode adapted to extend into the furnace, a cooling gland encircling said electrode, said cooling gland having a substantially convex inner surface, and a cooling pipe cast in the walls of said gland.

7. In an electric furnace, an electrode adapted to extend into the furnace, a cooling gland encircling said electrode, said cooling gland having a substantially convex inner surface and annular sealing grooves in said inner surface, the bottom of said gland being provided with an annular sealing groove, and a steel pipe cast in the walls of the gland to reinforce the gland and circulate a cooling medium therethrough.

8. In an electric furnace, an electrode adapted to extend into the furnace, a cooling gland encircling said electrode, said gland being split and having its split ends serrated and spaced 'apart, there being non-magnetic material disposed between the ends of the gland, the inner surface of said gland being substantially convex and being provided with annular sealing grooves, and a steel cooling pipe cast in the walls of the gland.

WILLIAM E. MOORE. 

